RENTON, Wash. — Seattle Seahawks coach Pete Carroll was adamant in his insistence that Marshawn Lynch "is our guy" — not just for this defining, six-game regular-season finishing stretch to determine the 6-4 defending Super Bowl champion's playoff fate — but for the final, 2015 season of Lynch's contract.

Moreover, Carroll denied any front-office rift exists with the enigmatic running back that has ignited speculation the Seahawks will move on from the 28-year-old Lynch following this season.

"Somebody just started talking about that — he's under contract next year, we'd love to have him back," Carroll told USA TODAY Sports after Thursday's practice. "There's no hesitation in us saying that and there never has been.

Lynch ranks fourth in the league with 813 rushing yards and nine touchdowns in addition to his 24 receptions for 247 yards and another score. His 51 total touchdowns since 2011 — 44 rushing, seven receiving — lead the league.

Lynch is on pace for a 1,300-yard rushing season and has teamed with quarterback Russell Wilson for a combined 1,384 rushing yards and 13 touchdowns.

"Marshawn's playing the best he's played since he's been here," Carroll said. "His feet are on fire. He's tough as hell.

However, the perception is the Seahawks will look to a younger replacement for the 28-year-old back with one year remaining on a four-year, $31 million deal at $7 million in 2015. After a week-long holdout because Lynch wanted more up-front money after leading the team to a Super Bowl title in February, management reworked his deal to give him $1.5 million more in guaranteed money.

Carroll said there has been no talk of a pending separation from inside Seahawks headquarters.

"That's not coming from here. That hasn't come from here at all," Carroll said. "It's been coming from somewhere else. We would love to have him come back."

Cornerback Richard Sherman and linebacker Bobby Wagner also came out strong in telling USA TODAY Sports on Wednesday they want Lynch back because he's been a great teammate who unselfishly lays his body on the line.

Carroll commended Lynch, who returned a fan's lost wallet to his home Tuesday on his way to Marysville-Pilchuck High with teammate Ricardo Lockette to participate in an assembly three weeks after the tragic shooting at the school.

And the Seahawks coach defended Lynch's decision to remain on the visitor's Arrowhead Stadium bench rather than join his teammates at halftime of Sunday's 24-20 loss to Kansas City as Lynch dealt with back stiffness.

"He could barely get off the table," Carroll said. "He really does know his body well.

"He's always been available. And we've managed our way through it.

"He missed one game in Cleveland four years ago. He's very astute.

"It's been touch-and-go at times. We listen to him as he listens to his body.

Lynch's continued silence with the media cost him heavily Wednesday when he was fined a combined $100,000 — $50,000 for violating the league's media policy when he refused to speak to reporters following Sunday's loss to the Chiefs, and an additional $50,000 fine from Lynch that was held in abeyance last year in anticipation of Lynch's future cooperation for repeated violations.

The NFL Media Policy mandates players must be available to the media during the practice week at the team facility and in the locker room following all games.